The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Infant Baptism and Paedo-Baptism

Yes, I also firmly believe that all children need to be raised "in the Lord" meaning that the Bible and other books, etc., which are faithful to what Scripture teaches should be used from the earliest days. And, that parents should be a living example of what they are teaching them too. Let me repeat what I wrote and try to clarify if there is a need concerning using the Heidelberg Catechism. It is my view that the Heidelberg is a marvelous work that is great for catechizing professing believers, whether new converts coming into the church or long-time members. But, because the way it is written, it should NOT be used to teach children. Rather, use something akin to the Westminster Shorter Catechism or some other catechism that fits the church's/denominations theology. Why??? and this should help make things clear. The Heidelberg is written in the First Person;

The Westminster Shorter Catechism is written in the Third Person;
What should be obvious is that the Heidelberg beautifully expresses the heart, mind and soul of a true believer. It describes from the subjective perspective the truths of Scripture and the life of being one with Christ. On the other hand, the WSC states the truths of Scripture from an objective perspective without involving the person reading it or being taught it. I hope this helps to understand where I'm coming from better. I believe that using the Heidelberg Catechism to teach children too often leads to a false assurance in the mind of a child which is grounded in a 'presumptive regeneration' of that child.

And lastly, just in a related aside... MANY years ago I publicly debated John Reisinger on the subject of baptism. Without saying, John held to credobaptism and I held to paedobaptism. The debate, as expected, was a lose-lose exercise. However, what was an unexpected surprise to John and those who in attendance were credobaptists, was that I explained that some paedobaptists raised their children in the exact same manner as credobaptists. We did not baptize our children because they were regenerated. Nor, did we baptize them on the basis of the children's parent's faith. Nor did we consider the children Christians after they were baptized. We believe that ALL children are presumptively unregenerate, under the just wrath of God even as others, and are in dire need of God's saving grace, regeneration, repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. After the attendee's and John's look of shock, their appeared a smile on their faces. And we all realized that we did agree on the most important truth about the need for adults as well as infants/children to be reconciled to God through the Gospel. We all parted friends and children of God by adoption in our Lord Jesus.